Re: The NHL Thread
 

I would totally get an Ollie Maatta Flyers jersey, but I can't. #stillbitter :violent

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Dreger and McKenzie going to be on NBCSN now as well. I like it.

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haha

he's supposed to be dressed for the opener on thrusday

that's a remarkable recovery from shoulder surgery

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is center ice $180 for everyone (i have VZ)?

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speaking of jerseys, i wish i had gotten my custom Messier jersey in a small. Definitely a size too big even with a sweatshirt.

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He's nice.

But I think Scott Laughton is the real deal.

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One of my writers posted a great preview of the Metro Division today: http://flyers.thecheckingline.com/bl...vision-preview

The Flyers were left out since we're a Flyers site. Click around and read our in-depth Flyers previews too if you want.

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i think the metro is going to be a dog fight this year

C-bus
Philly
Pittsburgh
NYR

all solid squads, very evenly matched IMO

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The Metro Division is what I'm very intested in. Other than Pitt last year, a lot of teams were pretty close. With the Devils, Isles and Caps making improvements I wanna see what happens.

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Behind Pitt, it's going to a wide open division.

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i wouldn't be so sure about that....



meaning i don't think the penguins pull away from anyone this year, in fact, they might be doing the chasing for most of the year

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Hockey is BACCCCCCK!!!!! YES!!!!!

Okay! I am going to make very shaky picks for how I believe each division will pan out.

West:

Central:
1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3. Dallas
4. Nashville
5. Colorado
6. Minnesota
7. Winnipeg

Pacific:
1. Anaheim
2. LA
3. San Jose
4. Vancouver
5. Calgary
6. Edmonton
7. Arizona

East:

Atlantic:
1. Boston
2. Tampa Bay
3. Montreal
4. Toronto
5. Florida
6. Detroit
7. Buffalo
8. Ottawa

BEST DIVISION:
1. NY Rangers
2. Pittsburgh
3. Columbus
4. Washington
5. NY Islanders
6. Philadelphia
7. New Jersey
8. Carolina

Mostly picked on last season's results, off season trades and signings, and gut feelings.

so hockey has short offseason?

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4 months of offseason

8 months of regular season + playoffs

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Pacific I'm with you for the most part. I think the Coyotes are higher up but other than that I'm with you.

Central, I don't see the Preds there. They just don't have enough there. I think spots 3 and 4 is a 3-way battle with the Wild, Avs and Stars.

Metro, I think the Rangers are better but with how clustered those teams were behind Pitt, I'm interested to see what happens. I think the Pens are still the best team in the division. I think Philly could fall off but not sure on the Jackets cause of injuries right now and with teams like the Isles, Devils and Caps improving. Like I said in the previous post, I'm very interested to see how it plays out.

Atlantic, Boston is #1. No doubt there. I also think Tampa is #2, barring any major injuries. I do wonder about Bishop's wrist. Now obviously I'm a homer here but Florida over Detroit? Panthers added a bunch of overpriced guys. They are a mash of players with no real direction. I like that Detroit keeps getting overlooked, and I think the team will too. Last year they got 93 points with half their team. They used a total of 38 players when you include goalies. Zetterberg and Datsyuk combined missed over an entire season worth of games and only played together 29 games I think. Howard was better down the stretch and from all accounts is looking more like 2 years ago than last year. If they stay even remotely healthy they should be in. And if they do miss, which is possible, it won't be behind FLA unless Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall miss the entire season.

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The Caps will win the metro this year. You guys just watch

I really hope the caps do.

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I really do too

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We did it guys & gals - we made it. Puck drop less than 4 hours away. Hockey coverage in Canada this year (and for many years to come) is going to be insanely awesome!

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I can't believe it's hockey season already.

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Still sad it won't be on CBC tonight. I would love to watch Habs and Leafs.

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Yeah. I'm pretty bummed it's not going to be on CBC. TSN and Sports Net don't have the same caliber of a show that CBC does. Ho Hum.

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Happy Day y'all!

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Yeah, while we will still get 'HNIC' it won't quite be the same, that's for sure.

I'm pretty confident that Rogers is going to give us a great, great show. Still like the TSN guys better though.

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I hear ya about Detroit. I thought maybe I had them too low. I did say Shaky picks lol.

That said, I think Florida is much improved. I believe they will have a solid season. Lou still has enough left in the tank.

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Happy opening day. My boys don't get on the ice until Friday but will watch some action tonight, for sure.

Tomorrow, I am having major back surgery first thing in the morning and likely will be in the hospital until Sunday. I was hoping for an earlier date but will be in the hospital for the home and home with the Canes. There is a chance if I do really well that I can come Saturday. Either way, I am DVRing both Islander games and have made it clear to family and friends not to spoil it for me. It would be a bonus if the hospital got the games but I am not holding my breath. SO you might see me in another thread if service is good but I'll stay clear from this one for a few days. I wouldn't want to see a post from like "wow, did you the Isles crush Carolina tonight". :D

Enjoy the start of the NHL season.

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My girlfriend and I are watching her first hockey game tonight. She's originally from Michigan and somehow not a hockey fan. Totes weird :lol

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CHRIS'S 2014 NHL STANDINGS PREDICTIONS

WEST

Central

1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3. Dallas
4. Colorado *
5. Nashville *
6. Minnesota
7. Winnipeg

Clearly the most talented division in the league, even my bias aside. I think this could be a dog fight up top with all three teams. Anyone can take it, but I think Brad Richards is exactly what the Blackhawks have been missing. The only problem is where Q fits him into the lineup. I love what Dallas is doing, and I think Nashville makes it. I just don't buy into what Minny is selling. Maybe it's because it's personal bias and I don't like how they built their team, but I just don't like them. It'll be interesting to see how Stastny fits in with STL as well. A lot of awards are going to come out of this division, including the Norris (Pietrangelo), Jack Adams (Q), and possibly the Hart (19! 19! 19! 19! 19! 19!) when Toews puts up career numbers.

Pacific

1. Anaheim
2. San Jose
3. Vancouver
4. Arizona
5. Edmonton
6. Calgary

Ugh. This dumb division of teams I hate. Whatever. LA sucks. They won't make the playoffs because they're stupid.

Seriously though, I have them finishing behind the Ducks, but making it back to the ECF to face off with the Hawks again. Gonna be fast, bloody, and awesome.

I really don't hate you LA. I feel like I have a small rooting interest in the Kings thanks to our hairy legged friend.

EAST:

Atlantic

1. Boston
2. Tampa Bay
3. Toronto
4. Detroit
5. Florida
6. Montreal
7. Buffalo
8. Ottawa

Boston/Tampa are the only real teams in this division. Man, the East sucks. There's nothing going on here. It's so bad, I think the Panthers are going to compete. Detroit will be a fringe playoff team, but that streak has to end some time, I think it's this year.

Dumb name division

1. Philly
2. Pittsburgh
3. Columbus
4. NY Rangers *
5. Washington *
6. NY Islanders
7. New Jersey
8. Carolina

The better division in the East, but that's not saying much. I want to root for the Islanders, and really hope they make it, but I'm just not sure they have enough depth up front to outscore their opponents enough. They're going to need offensive firepower, because they certainly aren't going to win a lot of games 1-0 or 2-1...it will be 5-4 type games that they get their points from. I think Philly takes this division by default, since I don't think there are any GREAT teams here in the East, but Philly is the best good team in this division. Go Jackets.

* = Wild card

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Rene!!!!

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New NHL wallpapers just in time for the 2014 season:

https://imgur.com/a/KMgFL